I was banded first week in Feb and went for my first follow up end of last month and my doc said he won't do a fill if I'm losing weight without it.....but I'm having to "diet" like before the band to loose now cause of no restriction! Which is why I got banded: to stop "dieting"! Is this normal for them to not fill like that for those reasons? I have no saline in my band as he didn't put any in when he banded me. I am STARVING each day and have told them that... I am wearing pretty thin... (unfortunately not literally.....just willpower and mentally)

I was banded first week in Feb and went for my first follow up end of last month and my doc said he won't do a fill if I'm losing weight without it.....but I'm having to "diet" like before the band to loose now cause of no restriction! Which is why I got banded: to stop "dieting"! Is this normal for them to not fill like that for those reasons? I have no saline in my band as he didn't put any in when he banded me. I am STARVING each day and have told them that... I am wearing pretty thin... (unfortunately not literally.....just willpower and mentally)

Hi, My doc says the same, but he gave me a 3cc fill at time of banding so he says if I am losing with the ability to eat a variety of foods, that is good. He also states I have to exercise and said to stick with 3 meals and no snacking, exercise and eat only 4 oz. Yes, it is too too hard. I am doing fair, at 2 months post op, 33 lbs down, but still fill I am doing the same as you, dieting and exercising, something I could have done with out the band, but when I think about it , I could not, so I got the band and at least when I eat more, I cannot eat endlessly, so we are still better off. He told me to ask myself at meals when I do not feel the "full", am I really still hungry. Hope things get better for us both.

Go back to your doctor and tell them that that obviously misunderstand the purpose of the band and demand a fill. According to the band manufacturers, *HUNGER* is the main reason for getting a fill in the band. The function of the band is to put enough pressure on the vagus nerves to stop the stomach from producing ghrelin, the hunger hormone after a reasonable meal. Obviously, your band needs more fill to do that.

I swear...we have to pass a driver's test to get a license. They should make some of these idiot doctors pass a competency test so they actually understand how the band works.

Thank you so much for your words of wisdom, it eases my mind knowing someone else is going thru the same journey and was told the samy thing

Go back to your doctor and tell them that that obviously misunderstand the purpose of the band and demand a fill. According to the band manufacturers, *HUNGER* is the main reason for getting a fill in the band. The function of the band is to put enough pressure on the vagus nerves to stop the stomach from producing ghrelin, the hunger hormone after a reasonable meal. Obviously, your band needs more fill to do that.

I swear...we have to pass a driver's test to get a license. They should make some of these idiot doctors pass a competency test so they actually understand how the band works.

Elfie I LOVE reading your posts hahaha. You always make me laugh and I appreciate your wisdom!!! I will go to my apt this thurs and do just that....reminding them again why I got my little band friend...And ask if they want me to just eat hog wild -anything I want to stop loosing to get a fill or if they want me to go by their rules and follow their plan (still loosing weight) But get some help from the tool they put in me...for this very reason...

My doctor told me the same thing, and if I were hungry I would have demanded a fill, but I am not that hungry so I just let it go. But if I were you I'd demand one.

by no means am i an expert here...lol.....i was banded on 01/27/11, i also have no fills and i go back on 04/06/11 and probably will not get filled then, he told me if im losing just keep up the good work, im not mad at all, im just not hungry, most of time!!! i just stick to 3, 4oz meals a day i might snack on weight watcher string cheese or an orange. im down 68lbs, just hang tuff, keep ur head held high, and don't let your hunger win!!!!! it's tuff...

I also was told that if I am losing I do not need a fill. However my Dr leaves the decision up to me whether or not I have one in that case. At my second fill I chose to have one for the same reasons you want one...for the hunger....so she just put a small amount 0.8cc and it helped. Good luck to you! I hope you are able to get a fill.

I agree with Elfie. In most cases the "tool" can not work properly without fills. After the swelling goes down the stoma is too large and the band is a useless piece of plastic around the stomach. After going to all the trouble of having weightloss surgery you should not have to diet like crazy. If it were me, I would demand a fill and continue to do so until I felt restriction. It really does not have to be so difficult.

MY DR AT 6WKS POST OP DIDNT WANT TO GIVE ME A FILL EITHER HE SAID MY WEIGHT LOSS WASNT BAD, BUT I SAID I WANTED WANT ONE AND HE GAVE ME 3CC'S I GO BACK MONDAY I STILL FEE L HUNGRY ALOT SO I WILL SEE WHAT HE SAYS NOW

Thank you all so much for your wise and kind words!! I feel like you all are my bandily " band family" band-in-laws hahaha . It really puts my mind at ease knowing some of you have been thru this and just to hear the wisdom from others even if you haven't. Thank you so much for replying

KOKIE

I've been losing since being banded in October, but I've still gotten 4 fills because I was hungry. Since getting my last fill about 3 weeks ago, I had to have a slight unfill because I was getting sick after everything I ate. Since getting that unfill, I feel great. I'm not hungry as often and I'm satisfied with much less food.

I was banded first week in Feb and went for my first follow up end of last month and my doc said he won't do a fill if I'm losing weight without it.....but I'm having to "diet" like before the band to loose now cause of no restriction! Which is why I got banded: to stop "dieting"! Is this normal for them to not fill like that for those reasons? I have no saline in my band as he didn't put any in when he banded me. I am STARVING each day and have told them that... I am wearing pretty thin... (unfortunately not literally.....just willpower and mentally)

Why not eat what u want to see what happens? I bet you'll be happier & surprised.

Why not eat what u want to see what happens? I bet you'll be happier & surprised.

hmmm...... not sure what you mean with this one, but it doesn't sound too productive

hmmm...... not sure what you mean with this one, but it doesn't sound too productive

LOL. Depends on how OP takes such advice. There really is nothing wrong with eating what you want, but this early on in the journey I'd definitely say it's important to be a bit more strict with certain food choices. However, once you get closer to goal or at goal, I see nothing wrong with getting a little lax, especially if the food you eat fits within your calorie range. Did I ever think I'd be eating Cinnamon crunch, Reeses, or White chocolate Peanut Butter? Nope! But it fits within my caloric/nutritional needs, so why not.

OP I'd say try to go back and get a fill. Life with the band should not be about dieting or having to deal with endless hunger. Maybe find another doctor if he refuses. You/your insurance paid for the band with intentions of it being filled to a level of restriction that works for you. I'd gladly move on if my surgeon ever denied me a fill, especially if I was complaining of hunger. But at least you are losing and not gaining.